Do you have any idea how many hours of sun it gets? At least six hours will get you the best selection but there are some that will do okay in 4-5 hours daily.

It gets direct sun from 10 a.m. - ish to later afternoon. But - when the trees have their summer foliage - it won't be so strong. To be safe, I ought to go with the 4 - 5 hours of sun selections!

Is there any reason the roses can't go in the ground? I think you'd have much more vigorous growth that would enable the roses to climb to the height you envision. If they can survive in your zone,Cl. Lady Hillingdon, Reve d'Or and Crepuscule would be beautiful. Viking Queen is a beautiful pink rose that will stand up to more cold than the others mentioned. Even some of the hybrid musks like Lavender Lassie can be grown as wonderul climbers if you train the in that fashion.

Ingrid

It is difficult to tell from the picture - is that dirt or pavement under all of those leaves? I agree that putting the roses in the ground would be the best long term solution - even if that is pavement, could you have some of it dug up and removed (perhaps way to the left and the right of those posts?), so that you could put roses in the ground?

Jackie

You can use those two downspouts for some free irrigation too!

It gets direct sun from 10 a.m. - ish to later afternoon. But - when the trees have their summer foliage - it won't be so strong. To be safe, I ought to go with the 4 - 5 hours of sun selections!

I *believe* it's concrete, but just to the side of each post is dirt. Maybe I could plant there and just vigorously train! :)

Oh boy...my first roses!

Is there a variety that you enjoy? I have no semi-shade climbers but some that I have read good reviews on in semi-shade are David Austin's - Graham Thomas, Gertrude Jekyll, Benjamin Britten, and one that I have ordered for spring myself is Golden Celebration.

Here is a link that might be useful: Semi-shade David Austin roses

I still have to love New Dawn for a gorgeous climber that blooms in a lot of shade. She's incredibly thorny and not fragrant (to me) but she's just so beautiful!

Renae is another favorite climber of mine that takes some shade. Her fragrance is gorgeous, and her semi-double blooms are very pretty, especially in person.

I'd probably do big pots and in-ground if I were you. What I do is saw big, big holes out of the bottoms of big pots. Then I know the rose has both the soil in the pot and it can get it's most aggressive roots into the ground, too. This is in places where I'm concerned about not really having a large planting hole. Or just where a big ole pot looks good, too :) I do it by arbors, for instance.

Oh, I've ALWAYS loved New Dawn. I was just afraid that it might be too aggressive for this area...although, maybe the partial shade would keep it in check!

You might have to keep up with the pruners for her, yeah, but she does take well to that. I know she's thorny and mean, but thin her out once a year and she'll be so beautiful! Just tell her who's boss, that's all :D

You might want to check out the David Austin site. He lists which of his climbers can tolerate partial shade. But check their height carefully--a number of his climbers should probably be classified as shorter climbers--may not be tall enough for you.

However, David Austin also recommends the following climbers even though he did not produce them:
Cecile Brunner Climbing
New Dawn
Mme. Alfred Carriere

I haven't grown any of those, but I'm under the impressions that they are much taller climbers. You might want to check them (and other roses you are interested in) at helpmefind.com (great resource, if you don't already know).

Hope that helps.

Kate

Here is a link that might be useful: David Austin Roses

Thank you so much for all of your help! I'm on vacation now and don't have time to check out the suggestions, but I promise I will next week. I'm excited to get started!

Great potential in this spot.

Roses, esp climbers, really do not like to be in pots. They need plenty of room for their roots to support the growth. New Dawn is very thorny and not a good rose for anyplace where there is likely to be a lot activity. Crepuscle and Madame Alfred are good choice and both will take some shade. Look into noisettes.

You have one of the best rose nurseries nearby--Roses Unlimited, in Laurens. Go visit them, see the roses in person, take a photo to Bill & Pat and get their feedback.

Thanks! I don't think I'll try them in pots. I know there's ground within inches of the downspouts on the sides of the carport, although one side doesn't get quite as much sun. I'll just train them forward a bit. I checked Laurens...it's only an hour away...I will take that photo and get some advice. Thanks again!